Rejvíz Peat Bog Trail

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Rejvíz Peat Bog Trail: Boardwalk to Great Moss Lake

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 1 July 2026

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HikeList Score

Rejvíz Peat Bog Trail scored 74/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 64
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 74
Food & support 68
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Rejvíz Peat Bog Trail is a short, easy 4.3 km out-and-back nature walk in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains of Czechia. Starting in Rejvíz village, it follows forest track and wooden boardwalk through Rejvíz National Nature Reserve to Velké mechové jezírko, or Great Moss Lake. With about 60 m of ascent and a typical walking time of 1–2 hours, it suits families, casual hikers and anyone wanting a low-effort bog walk rather than a multi-day trek.

Route Overview

Start and finish at the car park / bus stop by Penzion Rejvíz in Rejvíz village, the highest village in Czech Silesia. From the trailhead, follow the yellow trail for about 800 m to Pod Rejvízem, then switch to the green-and-white educational-trail markings onto the wooden boardwalk. The route passes near the WWI Monument to the Fallen by U Pomníku, reaches the Rejvíz raised peat bog, and ends at Velké mechové jezírko before returning the same way. A short circular variant exists, but the standard walk is out-and-back. For a harder Hrubý Jeseník route, compare the Bílá Opava Valley Path; in the Krkonoše, see Černá Hora to Pec pod Sněžkou and the Elbe River Source Trail.

History of the Rejvíz bog trail

The educational nature trail opened in 1970, linking the Rejvíz guesthouse with Great Moss Lake using information stops and a boardwalk to protect the fragile peat. Rejvíz National Nature Reserve was established in 1955 and protects the largest raised peat bog in Moravia and Czech Silesia. The peat began accumulating roughly 6,000–7,000 years ago after the last Ice Age, as meltwater collected in the lake basin. Local folklore adds tales of will-o’-the-wisps, a lake shepherd and a sunken city.

Notable highlights

Velké mechové jezírko (Great Moss Lake): The dark, acidic peat-bog pool is the turnaround point and main reason to walk the trail. It sits among floating sphagnum mats and is about 1,692 m² in area.
Boardwalk over the bog: The wooden haťový chodník carries walkers across wet raised bog without damaging the reserve. It forms the key educational section of the route opened in 1970.
Rejvíz National Nature Reserve: Established in 1955, this protected area covers about 328.6 ha and contains the largest raised peat bog in Moravia and Czech Silesia.
Bog flora and wildlife: Look for raised-bog plants such as round-leaved sundew, sedges and bog pine, along with bog fritillary butterflies and amphibians including alpine and Carpathian newts.
Penzion Rejvíz and carved chairs: The historic guesthouse at the trailhead, formerly Noskova chata / Brauner inn, is known for its carved caricature chairs, a folk-art tradition begun around 1910.
Bog legends and atmosphere: Mist, dark water and spruce-and-pine woodland helped create local stories of bludičky, or will-o’-the-wisps, and a sunken city.

Challenges to expect

This is an easy walk with little ascent, but it is not completely obstacle-free. The boardwalk can be slippery when wet, and the dirt and forest-track sections may be muddy after rain, so it is not ideal for pushchairs. Fog can settle on the bog and mountain weather changes quickly. Stay on the marked path and boardwalk to protect the sensitive reserve.

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